Skip to main page content

• HOME
• Current
• Archive
• Feedback
• Subscribe
• Help

The British Journal of Psychiatry (2006) 188: 46-50. doi: 10.1192/bjp.188.1.46
© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in BJP Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by FRANGOU, S. Articles by McCRONE, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by FRANGOU, S. Articles by McCRONE, P.

Efficacy of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in bipolar depression: randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study^*

SOPHIA FRANGOU, MD, PhD

Section of Neurobiology of Psychosis, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

MICHAEL LEWIS, BA, RMN

Section of Neurobiology of Psychosis, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

PAUL McCRONE, PhD

Centre for the Economics of Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

Correspondence: Dr Sophia Frangou, Section of Neurobiology of Psychosis, PO66, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. E-mail: s.frangou{at}iop.kcl.ac.uk

Declaration of interest The study (excluding attendance or presentations at international conferences) was supported by Laxdale Ltd, supplier of the ethyl-EPA preparation used in it.

^* This paper was presented atthe 3rd European Stanley Foundation Conference on Bipolar Disorder, Freiburg, Germany, 12-14 September 2002.

Background Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alleviates unipolar depression.

Aims To examine the efficacy of EPA in treating depression in bipolar disorder.

Method In a12-week, double-blind study individuals with bipolar depression were randomly assigned to adjunctive treatment with placebo (n=26) or with 1 g/day (n=24) or 2 g/day (n=25) of ethyl-EPA. Primary efficacy was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), with changes in the Young Mania Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) as secondary outcome measures.

Results There was no apparent benefit of 2 g over 1 g ethyl-EPA daily. Significant improvement was noted with ethyl-EPA treatment compared with placebo in the HRSD (P=0.04) and the CGI (P=0.004) scores. Both doses were well tolerated.

Conclusions Adjunctive ethyl-EPA is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in bipolar depression.

Related articles in BJP:

Highlights of this issue

SUKHWINDER S. SHERGILL
BJP 2006 188: 1-a1. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. W. Martinsen and J. S. Raglin Themed Review: Anxiety/Depression: Lifestyle Medicine Approaches American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, May 1, 2007; 1(3): 159 - 166. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Do omega-3 fatty acids help in depression? DTB, February 1, 2007; 45(2): 9 - 12. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M Appleton, R. C Hayward, D. Gunnell, T. J Peters, P. J Rogers, D. Kessler, and A. R Ness Effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressed mood: systematic review of published trials Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2006; 84(6): 1308 - 1316. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Upton Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in bipolar depression The British Journal of Psychiatry, August 1, 2006; 189(2): 191 - 191. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Depression: Are You What You Eat? Journal Watch Psychiatry, February 8, 2006; 2006(208): 1 - 1. [Full Text]